The main plant oil in this fragrance-free moisturizer for normal to dry skin is Crambe abyssinica seed oil. It is an inedible oil that is used mostly as an industrial lubricant. There is no research showing it to have value for skin when applied topically. It is perhaps a controversial ingredient because of the high amount of erucic acid it contains which has been shown to have negative effects on the heart when consumed in large amounts. Because there is so little research about this oil for skin we are concerned about its safety profile in the long term, which we doubt translates to topical application but again, there just is no information for topical usage one way or the other.

Turning to the other ingredients, this is one of the better facial moisturizers from Ulta (though that isn't saying much), and the price is definitely attractive.

Ulta refers to this product's "Active Repair Complex", which presumably refers to the selection of repairing ingredients this night cream contains. The creamy formula contains some winners in that regard, including squalane, lecithin, and tribehenin.

This moisturizer's AVERAGE rating is because we can't make an informed evaluation on the Crambe abyssinica seed oil and there just too many brilliant oils with lots of research to have considered instead. If that doesn't bother you this also missed the mark because it lacks a notable amount of cell-communicating ingredients and antioxidants.

Pros:

Inexpensive for what amounts to a good formula.

Fragrance-free.

Contains some notable skin-repairing ingredients.

Cons:

There's no research indicating the main plant oil has any benefit for skin and it could actually have problems.

Lack of cell-communicating ingredients and antioxidants doesn't give this an anti-aging edge.

Strengths: Inexpensive; several good mascaras; the blush, brow pencil, eyeshadows, and most of the foundations are worth a look; a few intriguing skin-care products (but nothing you cannot find from lots of other brands).

Weaknesses: Testers are not always available nor are the Ulta displays consistently clean; bad liquid eyeliners; poor-to-average cleansers; nothing-special pencil eyeliners; requires careful shopping because the makeup is such a mixed bag--for every good product there are two unimpressive ones.

Since Ulta was founded in 1990, the company has continued to carve out a unique position as a specialty beauty store by offering a large selection of upscale and drugstore cosmetics in all price ranges, all under one roof. There are currently over 675 Ulta locations across the United States, and, like Sephora, Ulta sells its own product line right alongside more familiar brands such as Revlon, Murad, and philosophy.

The Ulta Collection offers a variety of basic makeup products, from foundation to eye shadow to lip gloss. Nearly all items in the Ulta Collection are inexpensive, and its lower price point is a major draw.

As with most cosmetics lines, Ulta has its share of good and bad products; however, it seems for every good to great makeup product the line has two average-to-poor options. Testers may or may not be available, so choose wisely.

Among the safer categories of Ulta makeup are the eyeshadows, many of the mascaras, brow products, and most of the foundations, particularly the cream-to-powder and powder formulas.

Despite our enthusiasm for Ulta's large selection of eyeshadow, the quality is inconsistent, especially when it comes to texture and how they apply, even among different shades in the same category. The best way to shop this line is to pay attention to which products we've reviewed favorably and to take extra time to play with the products in-store (assuming the Ulta you frequent keeps testers available).

In recent years, Ulta has branched out from makeup to skin care. Their namesake skin care has the same affordable price point as the makeup, and some of the products are actually quite good. Skip the cleansers, ignore the moisturizers in jar packaging, and forget about the pore-tightening products...the rest is worth exploring, but again, this is not a brand to shop without some knowledge of what you're buying and how it performs.

For more information about Ulta Beauty, call 866-983-8582 or visit www.ulta.com.

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Strengths: Inexpensive; several good mascaras; the blush, brow pencil, eyeshadows, and most of the foundations are worth a look; a few intriguing skin-care products (but nothing you cannot find from lots of other brands).

Weaknesses: Testers are not always available nor are the Ulta displays consistently clean; bad liquid eyeliners; poor-to-average cleansers; nothing-special pencil eyeliners; requires careful shopping because the makeup is such a mixed bag--for every good product there are two unimpressive ones.

Since Ulta was founded in 1990, the company has continued to carve out a unique position as a specialty beauty store by offering a large selection of upscale and drugstore cosmetics in all price ranges, all under one roof. There are currently over 675 Ulta locations across the United States, and, like Sephora, Ulta sells its own product line right alongside more familiar brands such as Revlon, Murad, and philosophy.

The Ulta Collection offers a variety of basic makeup products, from foundation to eye shadow to lip gloss. Nearly all items in the Ulta Collection are inexpensive, and its lower price point is a major draw.

As with most cosmetics lines, Ulta has its share of good and bad products; however, it seems for every good to great makeup product the line has two average-to-poor options. Testers may or may not be available, so choose wisely.

Among the safer categories of Ulta makeup are the eyeshadows, many of the mascaras, brow products, and most of the foundations, particularly the cream-to-powder and powder formulas.

Despite our enthusiasm for Ulta's large selection of eyeshadow, the quality is inconsistent, especially when it comes to texture and how they apply, even among different shades in the same category. The best way to shop this line is to pay attention to which products we've reviewed favorably and to take extra time to play with the products in-store (assuming the Ulta you frequent keeps testers available).

In recent years, Ulta has branched out from makeup to skin care. Their namesake skin care has the same affordable price point as the makeup, and some of the products are actually quite good. Skip the cleansers, ignore the moisturizers in jar packaging, and forget about the pore-tightening products...the rest is worth exploring, but again, this is not a brand to shop without some knowledge of what you're buying and how it performs.

For more information about Ulta Beauty, call 866-983-8582 or visit www.ulta.com.

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